Durnik says "Gentlemen." He says to start...."
"I did not realize that those weak of will to resist the Dark gained forgiveness of the Tower," Theowyn states rather coldly, even though his own sister obviously was light on Calisa. "Regardless, I will not accept a member of my rank holding any information that aids to hide the identity of the Dark. Even at suspect of such." Theowyn has his own rage flaw against the Dark, and its near ready to set off. He vaguely hears Kellian's words. "Already I have questioned too many actions of the Captain-General. The calling of men to the border that might cause war. The shutting down of our very city to enrage our citizens. Now this, hiding relavent information from those his superior." Theowyn smirks. "Rio, I am nearly convince, I suggest your argument otherwise is equally convincing."
Durnik speaks in very slow, very clipped tones...the rumbling of the volcano stirring...."How../dare/..you! To bring me here and even remotely suggest what none of you have had the courage to outright say...though it is plain enough in all of your eyes." He looks at each pair of eyes again then settles on Theowyn, "I watched you grow up. I was there when you first held a sword. I protected your mother before you, and now I protect you, and especially your sister." Another long pause while he settles his gaze upon Kellian this time as if to remind Kellian of something, "I have struggled my way up through the ranks, proving my loyalty and my worthiness over and over in service to this country. I was given the rank I now hold because I was trusted to do what was needed in defense of this country." Now it's Nicodemus' turn. "I was /trusted/ to do whatever was necessary to keep Andor and her Queen safe, so long as I violated no laws, and protected not only the person of the Queen but her honor as well." Now he tries to take in everyone again. "I tell her majesty what her majesty needs to be told, what needs her attention. She has the entire wellbeing of a nation to consider gentlemen, and /I/ was the one chosen to handle a small part of that so that she would not have to except in the most pressing of matters. When events become such, have no fears that her majesty will be informed with all the available facts that I have.
Durnik sits down slowly again. "Until then, let /no one/ forget my family's history, nor my vows...both against the Dark, and to protect her majesty." He looks at Theowyn at that last. "By holding this meeting, in such a manner, you call into question my loyalty, my years of service, my dedication, my worthiness to hold the rank of Captain-General, but most especially you question my trustworthiness, and no less than my honor. And not only do you do this, but you do it in front of my own troops," His tone is very condiscending of this particular point. "I am still in command of this guard, and I will run it as I see fit, until such time as her majesty decides she too would call my honor into question. I have abided by your request," He speaks of the order to run command decision through Theowyn, and to him it was treated as a request and will be until he gets that same order from Aislynn herself, or Aislynn declares an actual war, "and will continue to do so....but never forget /why/ I was appointed to this rank, and what it is my job to do so that her majesty does not have to." And that includes all of that secret nasty stuff that the Royals know about but don't acknowledge. "I am not a pawn to be moved about at command, by anyone. And there are those in this world who carry biases fpr whatever reason, but I see nothing but the usefulness of every person, and every thing...and will use it as necessary to defend this country and her Queen. If you cannot trust me to do so, then remove me." He sits back, his peace finally said. (OOC: It should be noted this is very similar to Morgase calling down Gareth Bryne and questioning his loyalty. And Durnik will have no qualms about packing up and leaving court if he is not trusted after so many years and so much given.)
Theowyn's fist slams on the table. "You are under my command, Durnik. You report to me. I am your superior. Question that, and you do just as well to resign from your post," Theowyn settles the air on that, his eyes fierce before he stands back once more. He looks to Rio, still having his question go unanswered. Durnik's words had affect on Theowyn, certainly, though the last set him off.
Durnik stands up....the rumble now a roar. "No, Theowyn, I am /not/! When your sister declares a war, then I will hand the entire military over to you to command. But until such time as a war is declared and we are still officially in peace time, /I/ am the Captain-General...../I/ am in command of these men....and /you/ are an advisor." His eyes blaze. "/Your/ duty is to protect your sister now!" He throws an arm out wildly pointing with two fingers towards a bookcase along one of the walls. "And if you want to verify /that/, all you have to do is read the laws of Andor from its birth!"
Theowyn shakes his head with a slight smirk. "Again, I repeat, deny me your superior, and walk out of these barracks no longer Captain-General." Theowyn's words are smooth, he's strangely calmed. "The First Prince of the Sword is the highest ranking member of the Queen's Guard, by Andoran Law. You were named Captain-General, a position held by The First Prince of the Sword. That does not negate my right."
Theowyn shrugs a shoulder. "Unless you claim to be First Prince, of course."
Rio looks back at Theowyn. "Honor is of great importance to soldiers, or so I have noted through the years. Right now, you feel as though your honor has been besmirked. Durnik has not gone through what you view as the chain of command and thus has injuried you." She looks at Durnik, as the fury within him bursts forth, "And you, feel the same way. You were doing your duty as you saw it and now feel the betrayal of the prince and his officers." She puts her hands on her hips and gives them both a cool look. "It is time to stop acting as children who point a finger at one another and say _but he hit me first mama_. Has it occured to any of you that this is precisely the sort of thing that our enemies wish to engender. That is is what we must not do to one another?" She takes a breath for more....
"Rio Sedai, you support hiding the possible identity of a Darkfriend?" Theowyn asks quietly, strangely being calmer now. Much strange about that.
Nicodemus seems neither unphazed by the Captain General's gaze nor his words. It isn't as if he thinks Durnik's fury unworthy of a second thought, or his record in the Queen's forces either, but his mask of stoic indifference is one that he rarely drops, and would just as likely ride to Shayol Ghul wearing. The simple truth is it comes down to a conversation he had with the man some time ago, on a night where the Captain General seemed ill at ease with a problem that lay before him, one he was unwilling to speak about. Nicodemus couldn't at all convict him of that, but could easily become suspicious of the man. That conversation, coupled with events as they unfolded, made the Gaidin suspicious of Durnik. "Indeed it has been your duty to deal with whatever you thought a threat to Andor, but you, Captain General are its swordhand, not its head. I, for one, do not doubt your past dedication. I would not suggest that any other here doubts either. But... The swordhand has gotten ahead of the mind, and thinks itself autonymous... Would AIslynn Sedai not ask of your thoughts before declaring war as you should ask her on matters of state?"
Durnik bows his head in acquiesance, acknowledging Rio's words but saying quietly, "You are my superior, First Prince. You are Royalty, and I am not." Apparently it's not the type of superior Theowyn was talking about. "All honor will always be due to you, but I am still in command of this guard until your sister declares war." His anger too has subsided, and in fact even should Theowyn respond to what he just said, he will not respond back....that is his view period. Let the guard be torn apart over it, and Durnik replaced if Theowyn wishes to have Aislynn order it.
Rio looks at Theowyn, "It is time for you to think carefully, First Prince of the Sword. Do you wish to publically censure this man and bring the attention of your enemies upon you and Caemlyn? To let them know of a weakness in our armour?" She turns to Durnik, "And you, Captain-General. By your hasty actions of not including the Prince and the Queen in this very serious matter have jepordized the trust and respect of those that you have sworn to protect. Where is your duty now?" Rio shakes her head and her dove gray eyes darken to coal, so great is her anger at these men.
Rio simply declares, as any village wisdom might, "I should take a switch to both of you." And at that, she is quiet. Hrmph.
Kellian rubs his hand on his chin. As entertaining as that would be, he does not belief Rio's suggestion would solve the problem at hand. "It seems to be, Captain-General, that your actions have weakened Andor and not strengthened her in the past few weeks. If you do not feel you need defend your actions, then you set yourself up as a dictator over your troops. No officer should have to explain himself on the field of battle, for there is no time for questions often. But every soldier carries with him his own conscience and a mind with which to give rise to his own thoughts. And if an officer orders his men too often to enter the hornet's nest without question, they eventually will refuse to go. We are not at battle now, sir, and it seems answers are in order. If there was reason and justice in your actions then reveal them now so they might help you achieve your ends and not hamper you."
Durnik turns to Kellian, "And have any orders your received so violated your ethos that you could not in good conscience carry them out? Or it is just that you have decided to be insubordinate and question your orders...to get above yourself and speak out of turn? It is not for you to question my orders, and if you have a problem you speak with your superior, General (yes I'm reworking a couple ranks to make room for more, and make them more logical) Ozric (NPC currently) and he will come to me..../that/ is how the chain of command works, Captain. Orders are to be obeyed on and off of the battlefield, and thus far none of the orders I have given have led anyone into a...
Durnik says "Hornet's Nest as you so eloquently put it. No country can say we are gearing up for war....no noble can complain matters of state are in jeopardy....and all we are left with are a bunch of pretentious nobles whining about the interruption of business for a couple of months and two people accused of being Darkfriends with no proof behind it as of yet. And if we're to go acting upon no proof, we might as well name ourselves minions of the Children of Light.""
Coal black eyes lighten up to their more normal dove gray as Rio Sedai listens to the men argue. Her hands remain on her hips and she shakes her head.
"At issue here is not a matter of ego." Theowyn has a certain within his voice, he believes it is not the case. He takes a deep, somewhat calming breath, that inpatience once again showing. "I was investigating a matter brought to my attention by noble Houses, Durnik. You held back relavent information to that investigation. If you do not believe any truth to Tebrya's claims, then you would not have accepted her appearance within the Palace. Yet, if you wished to somehow round up the Darkfriends in believing Tebrya is connected, the you by no means have the authority to endanger those of the Palace in such a matter." Theowyn is once again calm, though it the sort found at the center of a storm. "On another note, Murandy was no military threat to us, Lord Renford was. By sending ten thousand troops in an apparent training mission to the border, you have nearly insured Lord Renford will gain power by the support of the Murandy Houses. They have always been paranoid about Andor invading, this a matter of history." Theowyn shakes his head. "I take blame for being foolish enough to trust your position in face of the obvious facts otherwise. By both actions you show incompetence, if nothing else." The pause then, allowing further gathering of his thoughts, as he looks to Durnik. "Did you ignore my command that all of your orders be approved by myself? This put in place when I began to distrust your competence as Captain-General." Theowyn looks to Rio, much calmer then when facing the Aes Sedai. "We are of the Tower, all but two here. I trust your wisdom Rio, I do. But you have not been witnessed to the negative backlash of Durnik's command. I argue that we already have shown are weakness by allowing Durnik to do as he wishes with his post." Theowyn leaves the rest unspoken. "Argue the facts, Rio, argue for his competence. This is not a matter that can be settled lightly in a matter of miscommunication."
Durnik leans back, all formality dropped. "I am honoring your request (back to the argument over who's in command) because I greatly value your advice...if you wish to make it a command, then have your sister send it to me. But I have not violated that request. I have given no order that you have not known about or authorized."
Rio grimances at Theowyn's urging her to argue the facts. For after all, as one of the gray ajah, that is precising what all her training has been geared toward for most of her life. Still, the first prince has a point and the young Aes Sedai needs to address that point. "The fact is that your sister has trusted this man to be her general of war for more years than you can count. The fact is that there is a gray area where as who is in command right now. While I do concede to both you and your b...Kellian that the chain of command is important and that perhaps in this regard some censure is required, I would like to point out that you need Durnik more than he needs you." Rio Sedai gazes at Durnik at the end, as if there is a question in her mind about something. Perhaps something important.
Durnik looks over sharply to Rio at the slip there in the middle.....while he couldn't quite make out what was going to come out, he looks like he almost had it...and it sits on the tip of his tongue. He shakes it off, something to think about later.
Kellian raises a brow when Rio almost lets slip with something. But manages to keep his composure otherwise.
Theowyn listens to Durnik's words, his mind settling in thought. He makes no comment to that as of yet, as he focuses his attentions on Rio. "Explain, Rio, if you may the last of your statement. I hold no doubt of the extent my decisions will be held with Aislynn, though I wish the advisement of those she also intrusts. Tell me how Andor needs Durnik more then he needs us?"
Durnik sits back in something akin to shock, and no little hurt, and outrage. He doesn't understand why Theowyn would be driving for his removal after all the years he spent watching the lad grow up, and then for him to come back from the Tower cold and distant. But Aislynn is supreme...he will not argue the case, but rather simply listen to her will. And if her will is the same as Theowyn comes across now.....then he will leave Caemlyn, knowing he has lost two families in his life time. But now he can only sit in stunned silence
Rio looks up at the first prince and moves forward slightly, as if she were standing in a court of law and about to give her statement before the magestrate. "The final decision is, of course, for you and your sister to make. But first, consider the man in question," she gestures at Durnik as if he were an "exhibit" on a pedestal. "This man has many skills that few in your guard possess. Skills that have allowed him to rise to the top of his field here in Andor. He is not only an expert in strategy and politics, but has the life experience to back up his book learning. Consider the years he lived as a mercenary before he came here to your court. He has been in battles against not only those of the ten nations, but even the aiel. Consider as well that he made a vow to destroy the dark and to defend Aislynn and Andor at all costs." She looks Theowyn in the eye and continues, "Durnik has been a member of this court since before you, Aislynn or even myself was born. Did he show you his loyalty time and again. Before Aislynn returned from the tower with her warders, was it not to Durnik who she turned to during the purge that your family went through? At that time, when your family could trust no one. Did not Durnik stand by you and yours and protect you?" Rio Sedai sighs, "Durnik has spoken to me at length about his suspitions of the undercurrents of the dark that is running through the city at this time. What he has told me has even prompted me to send a missive to the white tower about it in the hope that perhaps they would send sisters to investigate the rumours further. It is hard to know who to trust in matters such as these and I can understand why he might wish to not speak of these matters until more proof could be found. " She looks at Kellian and Nicodemus for a moment and then returns her attention to Theowyn, "I know that the chain of command is important. And yes, you have a right to be angry at him for what he has done. Still, in the end, it is my belief that if you toss this man aside now, in the end it will be the House Versyr that will rue this day, not Captain General Durnik. For you will have lost a valuable and loyal man."
Durnik looks up to Rio, nodding his head very respectful...a new found warmth in his eyes for her...especially considering the rocky start to their friendship.
Kellian nods at Rio's words and feels vaguely uncomfortable in disagreeing with her, these two so often are of one mind about most matters, and says aloud,"Rio, I do not believe anyone here has questioned the Captain-Generals' past deeds or service to Aislynn and Andor. What is at question is whether of late he has lost sight of that oath and of the scope of his authority. As a member of his Guardsmen, it is not my place to question my superiors unless I have a clear indication that such superiors are acting not for the best interest of Andor but out of their own best interests or out of madness. However, Prince Theowyn has every right to question him, regardless of the situation, and he should be willing to answer the Prince's questions with answers. Which so far he has not done." Nor did he answer Kellian's question.
Durnik seems tired and exhausted. He no longer leaps to defend himself. Theowyn's question took a lot out of him in the end. He says in an resigned voice, "There will be answers when I have answers to give." But he falls silent after that.
Certainly the personal matters that Durnik has shared with the rule of Andor have an affect on Theowyn. None of which shows uncertainty, but he does gain a slight loss of rage in the matter, a rage that was only hinted too beneath that calmness of the Void he holds. Theowyn takes a deep breath at the end of her speech, each word strangely registering in different portions of who he is. Is he being convinced? It is difficult to tell, though certainly there is an affect. His words prove more then his expression, well masked by the Void he has been holding. "It pains me to no end to see fault in the rule of a man that serves for my sister. These are difficult times. When Aislynn is not here, I do rule in her place until her return. It is my duty." He leaves that stand there, he will not debate it, there is little point too. "Do you not see the faults in Durnik's command? You speak of experience in the military and politics from his past. Do you not see the opposite through what he has done? This is only partly a matter of rank or consultation. Much like with my previous conflicts with the Captain-General, he shows poor defense of his actions. Tell me Rio, was it right to send ten thousand troops to the border after the Murandy Queen was assassinated within the Palace? Is it right to hold information of grave importance from The First Prince of the Sword that has undertaken a personal investigation over a concerning matter? This is not a matter of whether or not he asked if he could, this is a matter of his choices being wrong. Choices he shows poor defense of." In this he nods to Kellian's words. Theowyn isn't attacking in tone, he is seeking Rio's advisement over the matter. When he looks to Durnik, and his response, it seems to be a matter to prove his words. "That is not acceptable for a Captain-General. Not when I stand here, as a representative of the Queen herself. Her very brother."
Durnik looks up for a moment to Theowyn. "You mis-speak Theowyn. You yourself authorized that investigation after you received word of the Lt speaking to the noble houses." He falls silent, letting his gaze remain on Theowyn for a brief moment before dropping it back to the table.
Rio listens to the prince's words carefully, and then shakes her head. Obviously, her words and verbal tactics have not worn through to the man. "I have seen the reports from Murandy, I was the one that gathered much of the information about Renford for Aislynn after all. I almost lost one of my more valuable operatives. I can not say that sending troops to the border was an act of madness or of genius. I am not a military stragetist. Perhaps in the end, like many women, I value the man more than the deed. You are a prince and as such you have to make decisions that will allow you to retain the loyalty and respect of your men. Perhaps a comprimise could be reached here? Is there some way that you could regain your sense of trust for this man that has proven his loyalty in the past time and again?" She looks at Durnik, "And you, Durnik, is there not some manner in which you can convince your Prince of your good faith?" Rio shakes her head, "I feel that I have done what I can, gentlemen. In the end, you will have to choose to trust one another again, or to not. I can not turn your hearts with a weave of saidar. The answer lies only within the two of you."
Durnik looks up to Rio. "You ask a question that is not mine to answer Rio Sedai." He looks at Theowyn as if both of those questions were meant for him.
The response doesn't come right away, but it does come. "When matters of Andor's security are brought to my attention, I expect to be told of all facts surrounding the matter." This is spoken to Rio. "I am a man trained of the Tower for the purpose of the position I hold. Both of politics and of military. And I have lost trust for the capabilities of the man that is the Captain-General of the finest soldiers known." Theowyn continues to look to Rio, not yet taking notice of Durnik. "He hid the knowledge of possible Darkfriends," the prince shakes his head. "Knowledge of the accusations against Lord Magnus needed my attention. Not for the possibility that Lord Magnus was a Darkfriend, we know the late Lord to be a trusted man of the Queen. But for the likelyhood of the Dark being involved in this investigation that shows no source of command, yet clearly is being carried out as though Queen Aislynn herself had ordered it." A few added points within for those that read between the lines. "That is not acceptable. Not even as an error in command. The Dark was not a suspect in these matters, Durnik had evidence otherwise. He withheld it." That is when he turns to Durnik, those eyes holding his stern manner. "You will maintain your position, I will allow as much until Aislynn either reaches a decision, or until matters become unavoidable. It is near the latter, if not already past, but I give you this benefit of the doubt. I promise you no future here, you know the view I will share with Aislynn. But I do seize complete control of the Queen's Guard, if this was not clear to you before. You will consult with me on every decision made either in person or in letter. Much like your generals report to you, you will report to me. It will be so until this matter is resolved." Theowyn leaves little room for argument, at least with his next. "Thank you for your consultation Rio Sedai. Gaidin Nicodemus. Captain Kellian." With that, he prepares to leave.
Rio simply inclines her head formally to Prince Theowyn after he speaks. Then she gives Durnik and Kellian a glance each before she also prepares to leave. Her task in coming here this day now complete.
Kellian stands then.
Durnik neither argues, nor agrees. Instead he pulls himself up and stands to at least gain a semblance of pride. Events and people are turning against him and there is nothing he can do. The very same people who trusted their lives to this man, are now the people who doubt his capabilities. His response is silence, crystal clear, oppressive silence. His eyes hard and tight. He gives away nothing of what his thoughts on his future actions might be.
Durnik turns suddenly at some kind of inner compulsion to speak. "Theowyn."
The tone is not of the Captain-General, but of the man who watched Theowyn grow up.
Theowyn pauses then, if only briefly, on his way to the door. "Captain Kellian acted here with my request to do so. His words spoken here were of my request for openness in ideas." Theowyn turns to the man that is his half brother, with no knowledge of him being that. "Dismissed Captain, your efforts and honesty grow appreciated here." That said, he turns to Durnik. He takes a deep breath, but realizes a matter of protocol is missing. "You agree to the terms, Captain-General? I do not want any doubt that you have mistaken them." He also produces a nod.
Rio has left.
Kellian moves to depart, he nods to the Prince. He also nods his head to Durnik. "Prince Theowyn. Captain-General." Then he turns on his heel and departs after the retreating Rio Sedai.
Durnik speaks in that semi-fatherly tone, without fear of what may come in the future. "Even you should remove me from my position, remember....training does not equal experience. Never forget." A warning, as of a teacher to a student, with nothing to do with the current argument over command and over what should be done. He comes to stiff attention but does not salute. "I shall, as always, act in the best interest of Aislynn, and Andor."
Not quite the answer you wanted, but by his face the only answer you're going to get regardless of what consequences his actions may bring upon himself.
Theowyn's eyes threaten on impatience once more, just as he had been ready to the return to his chambers. He considers whether it is worth the battle, and then decides he could do nothing else but to insure his order will be carried out. "I do not forget the value of experience, nor will I ever, for I've gained a mountain of it in the past year, and it put a pebble compared to what I will before my last breath." That said, he takes another breath. "Do you agree to my terms, Captain-General? Swallow pride, I care not for mistakes in understanding my words. Unless Aislynn tells you otherwise, it is to be as I outlined."
Durnik remains at stiff attention though he does lower his eyes to meet Theo's. "I have given my answer, your highness."
"Captain-General, trust that a certain change in command with the way you understood it to be in the past will not suffice a general response," Theowyn states, impatience showing. The matter had been resolved in his mind. "If you wish to gain my trust, then you must first show you have it in me. You are not privledged in rank to have it vis-versa. Do you accept my conditions?" Of course, at issue is Theowyn believes he is speaking for the Queen, and Durnik does not. A slippery line.
Durnik does not budge an inch. "Your highness, with all due respect, though you may ask a thousand times, you have the only answer I am willing to give you, until Aislynn, herself, has spoken on this issue. Accept it or not, you will get no other."
Theowyn's response holds emphesis. "I will not argue over the matter of ego, Captain-General. Resign, be relieved of duty, or accept. I hold no compromise here, the opportunity for discussion is over."
Durnik looks at you an acceptance in his gaze. If the country and the people who have so long accepted him are no longer willing to trust him...then what good to stay around anyway. "I will not resign your highness, nor will I give any other answer to you. I may not be 'priveleged in rank' but we all have choices.....and now the choice is yours...."
"I will relieve you of command, Durnik." Theowyn shakes his head with disbelief even at his own words, but it is of little choice to him now, as he sees it. "If you are sworn to Aislynn as you have stressed, you will not allow your command to come to such an end. The Queen's Guard will remove you from your post. You learn a matter of fact either way, old friend. Either accept my authority, or be removed by the authority you deny."
Durnik looks at Theowyn with eyes of blue stone....after a moment of silence, he reaches up and rips off the knots and cords of the Captain-General and slams them down on the table. Not looking away from Theowyn he says in a flat tone, "You're wrong, Theowyn. But you have to learn it on your own, I am not the teacher any longer. I will send to your sister to let her know where she can reach me." And with that he heads out the door, to drop off a few items like his uniform in his room, and gather up his personal belongings. As he exits he turns and gives a bow such as a commoner would to the First Prince, even though he still holds his honorary noble title, and shuts the door backing out.
And so Theowyn is left within the room to himself, the room likely not lit well considering their surprise arrival within. The anger and tension that he holds within only catch to the surface once he is alone. Taking many moments to simply lean against the table within the room, he finally heads out from the room to make preparations for a change in command. It will be a late evening still for the Prince, though likely that no different for others involved.